Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or mary.braswell@albanyherald.com.

A new month arrives Tuesday. If you are looking for a reason to celebrate in March, look no further. Here you will find numerous special days and perhaps a good reason to party.

March 1 -- National Pig Day recognizes and gives thanks to domesticated pigs. Ellen Stanley, a Texas art teacher, created National Pig Day in 1972. Her intent was to to recognize and be thankful for pigs as intelligent domestic animals.

The pot-bellied pig has a life span of about 12 years and the average weight is 125 pounds. Superior intelligence allows these animals to learn how to open the refrigerator and cabinet doors. It is imperative to keep all food secure.

March 3 -- I Want You to Be Happy Day is an opportunity to do something to make others happy. It can be a card, a phone call, a visit, a chore, making complimentary comments, cooking a meal --the list is endless.

March 4 -- Employee Appreciation Day provides an opportunity to say thank you to workers that often are taken for granted, day in and day out. One of Recognition Professionals International's founding board members, Bob Nelson, together with his publishing company, Workman Publishing, created Employee Appreciation Day in 1995 as a way of focusing the attention of all employers, in all industries, on their employees .

March 6 -- National Frozen Food Day was so designated by Senate Joint Resolution 193 in 1984. In Proclamation No. 5157, President Ronald Reagan said: "Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 6, 1984, as Frozen Food Day, and I call upon the American people to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities."

Frozen foods first hit store shelves in 1930 in Springfield, Mass. Clarence Birdseye is credited with developing the process.

March 8 -- International (Working) Women's Day is sponsored worldwide by the United Nations. The roots of this celebration goes back to the late 1800's to early 1900s. It grew from women's socialist movements and early women's trade union groups. The first International Women's Day was held March 19, 1911. Women socialists and trade unions held an earlier Women's Day on the last Sunday in February, 1908. The event grew from there and has been celebrated annually since. In Russia, it is a national holiday.

March 11 -- Johnny Appleseed Day is observed to honor John Chapman. This planter of orchards was regarded by Indians as a great medicine man. Johnny Appleseed died on this date in 1845.

March 13 -- Ear Muff Day celebrates a warm invention. While rarely recognized in the South, people in colder climates can really appreciate this day. Chester Greenwood is the father of the earmuff. Greenwood patented the "Champion Ear Protector" on March 13, 1877. They later became known as "ear mufflers" and were eventually shortened to "earmuffs."

March 14 -- National Potato Chip Day celebrates America's No. 1 snack food. Potato chips were first made by Chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 24, 1853. Americans have been in love with them ever since. If this celebration ends too quickly, don't worry. National Chip and Dip Day arrives on March 23.

March 15 -- Everything You Think (and do) is Wrong Day is a day when nothing goes right! Today is a time to recognize that everyone has a bad day once in a while.The good news is that March 16 is Everything You Do is Right Day. It does happen, every once in a while, that a day comes along where everything you do goes well ... the perfect day!

March 16 -- Freedom of Information Day celebrates a valuable concept in American rights. March 16, 1751 is the birthdate of James Madison, the 4th president of the United States. Madison is recognized as the "Father of the Constitution," and the chief author of the "Bill of Rights." The Freedom of Information Act was passed into law in 1966.

March 17-- Absolutely Incredible Kid Day will mark its 15th celebration this year. Created by Camp Fire USA, parents and other adults are asked to write letters to kids telling them just how incredible they are. Research shows that simple words of encouragement and compassion can make a difference in a child's life. Putting those words into a letter allows the recipient to hang onto those encouraging words, and return to them for inspiration and guidance, often for years to come.

March 20 -- The Great American Meatout is held on (or around) this date. Thousands of people in all 50 U.S. states and two dozen other countries get active to host educational events for Meatout, the world's largest grassroots diet education campaign. Activists distribute free food, educate their communities, and ask their friends, families, and neighbors to "kick the meat habit" for at least one day.

March 22 -- National Goof Off Day has something (or nothing) for everyone. Assuming it will not get you into some kind of trouble, go ahead and goof off. This day is set aside for you to do anything you enjoy doing. Unfortunately, this day has yet to be recognized as an official celebration.

March 23 -- Near Miss Day commemorates the day an asteroid barely missed hitting the earth. On March 23, 1989, the asteroid came within 500,000 miles of a collision which, in interstellar terms, was a near miss. Had it collided with earth, a crater the size of Washington, D.C., would have likely been created.

Other near misses: Asteroid SQ222, approximately 10 meters in diameter, came within 54,700 miles of earth on September 27, 2003. Asteroid EM7, approximately 70 meters long, came within 288,000 miles in March, 2002.

March 25 -- Pecan Day is held on the anniversary of the planting by George Washington of pecan trees at Mount Vernon. The trees were a gift to Washington from Thomas Jefferson. Sometimes called "America's own nut," pecans were first cultivated by American Indians.

March 30 -- I Am in Control Day was born on On March 30, 1981. President Ronald Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt. Lots of confusion prevailed. In the White House, then Secretary of State Alexander Haig was taken a little out of context when he said "I am in control here." Instead of focusing upon the entire statement, people and the press focused upon these few words. Political uproar eventually led to his resignation.